Super Tuesday, on February 5th, was supposed to be the day the Democratic nominee emerged. Instead, absolutely nothing changed. Today could be decisive, but I still get the feeling neither candidate is ready to call it quits.
Today, Hillary has a chance to break her 11-state losing streak. If she does well, and closes in on the delegate count, Obama's momentum could be irrelevant.
But Obama doesn't see it that way. On Monday, his campaign manager, David Plouffe, wrote in a memo to reporters: "While the Clintons gamely continue to try to move the goal posts, at some point there has to be a reckoning."
How far can the goal posts be pushed back and where does the field end? In such a tight race, under what circumstances (if any) should Clinton, now the underdog, exit the race?
In Puncto
Mulberry
PRPS
The superdelegates and the way the Democrats divide each states delegates make this extremely interesting. Each candidate has a "clear path to victory" and, even if Clinton looses both key states today, as long as those are single-digit losses, she still has a chance to secure the nomination.
1Sweet Jesus, I cant wait for this to be over so I will never have to hear the word Clinton again.
2Amen to that!
3I would love for her to quit now, but since she won't, I'd say when it becomes mathematically impossible for her to secure the required number of delegates to get the nomination.
Or she could follow what Bill's already said, and if she loses both races today, just drop out then.
4I have heard that even if she wins now, she'd have to win with like 70% in Ohio and Texas to even have a shot at it. It might be POSSIBLE for her to come out ahead at the end of all of the primaries, but it isn't very PROBABLE.
And all of this in-fighting between the Democrats is just making it harder for the Democratic presidential candidate to win in November.
5I have become so disgusted with Clinton that I don't think I could vote for her if she became the nominee. There was a quote from her yesterday were she talked about her life experience and Mccain,s life experience and stated all Obama had was a speech. What? Did she really imply that it should be her or the republican? Way to show your party loyalty.
6Obama is only 109 delegates ahead of Clinton, so she could feasibly lose both Ohio and Texas and still have a shot at it. Juju, maybe you heard that she needs to win by almost 70% to be ahead after today?
7I'm not sure this is going to end anytime soon.
8I honestly don't see an end in sight for her yet. I think it's all about the delegates, and I think she'll stay in.
9Lili - I agree. This may be an obvious observation but I feel like its her rude comments like that that ensure she wont get the VP nom or anything else for that matter ever again! I guess she doesnt care.
10I hope she does well today because reading the stories about the Obama - Hillary feud makes my day. For instance, today there is an article on Fox regarding a liberal blogger who is saying that Hillary's campaign has "darkened" Obama in an ad. There's even a picture. These are the same tactics that liberal bloggers use against Republicans and here they are being aimed at Hillary Clinton - I just think that's hilarious!
11This is the process that the Democrats set up and if there is still a chance then she should stay in - no matter. Also, from a PR standpoint - it is good for the Democrats because it keeps the focus on them all the way to the convention - and does not allow for the Republicans to have the spotlight. It is like the presumptive close mentality - the media is presuming one of these two will win the white house and that is good spotlight to continue.
12Piper, you and me both! I really want Hilary to win. Oh what a glorious day.
13Cine, I can't believe I'm supporting Hillary today. I feel a little nauseous but its for the greater good...
14
I was wondering what that wet burp that I had was all about!
15Piper, I didn't see that article but I'd love to read it!
I have to say, I'm honestly surprised she didn't bring out the tears yesterday...
16I can't wait until this whole thing is over.
17THe superdelegates will get behind whoever wins the most pledged delegates. They won't steal the nomination away from whoever wins the votes of the people.
In order for Hillary to get the most pledged delegates, she needs to win no less than 65% in BOTH Texas and Ohio, which most likely won't happen. If she doesn't win both by this margin, I think she should drop out.
18A win is after super delegates have voted and we get to the convention.
19I don't know if I agree that she should drop out, because I think the more Democratic dialogue we have going, the better.
Although I'm pro-Obama, I appreciate all of the coverage of the democratic race.
All negativity towards different candidates aside, a democrat needs to be in the White House come January.
It's definitely been one of the most lively and covered campaigns of our time.
Here is Hillary Clinton praising herself and McCain and belittling Obama.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ou4JnWQsxKw&eurl=
20Clinton would never ever take the VP spot.
21The media is so ruling this election. I think that if she wants to stay in she should. Leaving because the media is pressuring you is ridiculous. She has supporters and I am glad that she is sticking around for them. The same could be said of Obama had he be trailing.
22The media doesn't want her out of the race. They love the drama. There is no way she can catch Obama in the pledged delegate count. NO WAY. But she continues to campaign, using Rove like tatics on her opponent to gain an edge. This is starting to hurt the party. If Clinton supporters think the all Obama supporters are going to vote for Hillary if the nomination is given to her by Super Delegates, you in for a surprise. I can honestly tell you that I can not vote for her. I could never vote republican but Hillary will not get my vote.
23I'll consider Hilary a loser if she 1) listens to the pundits and media and quits before the convention. And 2) when she rolls over and takes one for the Democrats.
She should fight until she believes that she's done her best to get the job. She should fight until she feels she cannot fight for it anymore.
Same with Barak - if you want it fight for it until you cannot fight anymore.
24Right on, wackdoodle & spacebear. Leaving because of pressure? LOL! Hillary is smarter and stronger than that.
I can also tell you that I have spoken with enough people to know that there are some Clinton supporters that feel like liliblu - that they could never vote republican but Barack will not get their vote.
Fight on, Hillary! Just remember kids, there are people out there as sickened by Barack and his tactics and insults (dogwhistle on Hillary's "period" for one) just as you are sickened by Hillary. Neither is without sin and they share 95% of the same views. Hillary has more experience, has a better healthcare plan, came out in support of a lot of issues and groups (bringing jobs back to the U.S., LGBT support) before Barack and I have faith in her, not in rockstar hype of Barack.
Hillary '08!!!
25I don't necessarily think all of the superdelegates will go with the popular vote. Cnn.com has an interesting count of number of delegates each candidate has, with an estimated number of superdelegates included. Some superdelegates are always pledged to one candidate (of course, that's not technically binding); some may go Clinton because the Clintons are such a power in the Democratic party (talking about the organized party, not the "average" person who declares himself a Democrat). Some may also be persuaded to vote for Hillary because she has a demonstrated ability to pull off wins in "big states," which would be crucial in the general election. Thus far, Obama has only won one or two big states (depending on whether you consider Georgia a big state), and one of them is his home state! Overall, especially with Hillary's victories yesterday (and the one in Ohio being pretty significant), it looks like this is going all the way to the convention.
26lilkimbo...I agree with you completely. Thank you for fleshing out the argument.
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